RATMA Film Festival Results 2014

Keighley News People's Choice

Keighley News People's Choice

#Eatbrains - Danny Hardaker(UK) This B movie style zombie flick was chosen by festival goers to be their favourite overall. The film was a collaboration between the director and Smallworld Art Group, a charity that works with young people not in education, employment or training. They were given the task of writing, performing and filming to produce a highly entertaining film which was shown in very good company in the Sci-fi and Thriller genre, although it would have sat happily in the comedies too as it doesn't take itself too seriously. During the big screen debut at the Picturehouse at the awards evening there was a rapturous applause and merriment. A very worthy and popular winner of the Keighley News People's Choice Award. Star of the film, Harry the dog, a brilliantly natural performance.

UNDER 18 DIRECTOR

UNDER 18 DIRECTOR

AMY BEEDLE (UK)Amy was at the festival all day and picked up the inaugural Under 18 year old Director award. Amy's film Run was very well received by the judges who had no idea who had made any of the films they viewed, which means it was judged along side all the campaign veterans and film students around the world. We like a film that makes you think here at RATMA and Run certainly did that, a good film makes you talk. Well done Amy I look forward to seeing more next year and in the future.

ANIMATION

ANIMATION

Three Steps to Smoke -
Dmytro Bondarchuk (Ukraine) Chosen by the judging panel of Clockwork Eye Video Productions in a strong group of films this stood out because of the story it told and the many clever and subtle mechanisms used by the animator to portray meaning without the need for dialogue.

COMEDY

COMEDY

Paradise Beach - Dave Lojek. (Germany) Chosen by the RATMA selection panel from my favourite category. The quality of comedy this year was brilliant. Paradise Beach was chosen for the originality of the idea and the clever screenplay that conveyed the idea of a collapsing happy place which made us all laugh spontaneously several times during several viewings. If a comedy is able to do that, it works.

DOCUMENTARY

DOCUMENTARY

Life Under the Bridge - Andrew McGivern. (USA) Chosen by the RATMA selection panel for its stark reality and intelligent editing. The story of "Pepper" and his journey from fame and family to solitude and hand to mouth existence turns your preconceptions on their heads, when it comes to pity. Pepper portrays himself as a loving absent father and contented soul with a friend at every turn. |Very uplifting film and worth a watch.

DRAMA

DRAMA

The Exchange - Robert Poole (USA)In the most competitive genre of the festival this film stood out for most because of its exceptional production values, original concept and brilliant acting and screenplay. It scores top marks in all judging categories with many of the panel and from the moment you first see it you get the feeling it's gonna be good.

MUSIC

MUSIC

Two Too Odd- Dave Lojek. (Germany) Another offering from German based David Lojek who becomes our first double award winner with separate films. This genre was judged by the judging panel of Drystone Radio. This is the first year for this genre and the offerings not disappointing, when this lovely film was shown on the big screen at the picture house the entire audience were encapsulated by the charm of it.

SCI-FI/THRILLER

SCI-FI/THRILLER

Second Wind- Sergey Tsyss (Russia).This film was chosen for its stark imagery and costume design as well as the concept and direction which made this film a winner. The film has many possible meanings and because of it caused debate to spontaneously break out when people left the theatre as to what their personal interpretation of the story was. Very clever film making I can't wait to see more of Sergey's work.